Today, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Rebecca Blank
presented four U.S. organizations with the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality
Award, the nation’s highest Presidential honor for organizational performance
excellence and innovation. The recipients of the award, which is commemorating
its 25th anniversary, will share their best practices as part of a
national effort to improve America’s performance and competitive standing in
the world.

Deputy Secretary Blank lauded the Baldrige Award winners for
being leaders in their fields and committed to the value of performance and
quality. Studies have shown that Baldrige winners grow their revenues, create
jobs, maintain healthy finances, and produce superior results.

At the awards ceremony, President Obama also delivered a
video message to the recipients, saying that the United States’ “free market is
the greatest engine of prosperity the world has ever known, and that engine is
powered by our dreamers, our risk takers and our innovators.” Further, he said, “These honorees exhibit the
kind of job creating innovation that’s always kept our economy growing and
vibrant and prosperous.”

Malcolm Baldrige, the 26th Secretary of Commerce, believed
that high performance, quality and innovation have always been key drivers of
the U.S. economy. Balridge inspired business owners and public servants across
the country to strive for excellence, and in 1987, Congress honored his legacy
by establishing the Baldrige Awards to enhance the competitiveness and
performance of U.S. businesses. Now in its 25th year, the Baldrige Awards have
since been expanded to recognize excellence in three other categories as well:
education, health care, and nonprofit organizations.
Since 1987, the program has recognized 93 American companies and
organizations for outstanding performance.